TEXAS SUPREME COURT GRANTS DOUBLE STANDARD FOR BUILDER
The Robert and Jane Cull’s construction defects case was thought to be the only homeowner Binding Arbitration victory in Texas history until today, when it was overturned by the state’s highest court. The very rich Bob Perry has demonstrated in brazen fashion the lengths at which builders will seek relief from all warranty liability.  As for Robert and Jane Cull’s 11-year ordeal, no amount of Bob Perry’s money will ever compensate them for their years of being deprived of the full enjoyment their home they so valiantly fought to preserve.  The Texas high court and Bob Perry have this day made the case for the undeniable need for campaign finance reform and the passage of the Arbitration Fairness Act introduced by Senator Russ Feingold and Congressman Hank Johnson.  Read HOBB Press Release

HOBB Press Release
A 65-year-old grandmother and long-time consumer advocate for better home construction practices goes on trial here Monday, January 7, on charges that she falsely called 911 and reported to police that a bomb was located in an Arlington, Texas KB Home residential development, previously used as a military practice bombing range in the 1940s and 1950s.  The charges were leveled against Janet Ahmad, president of HomeOwners for Better Building , a national consumer advocacy group dedicated to helping people with defectively built homes and well known critic of KB Home, and its long history of poor building practices.  KB Home build on a bombing range? YES!: 20/20 Report

US Senator Russ Feingold, Congressman Hank Johnson and consumer groups announced the filing of The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007
The comprehensive legislation would ensure Americans are not forced into mandatory arbitration agreements to resolve employment, consumer, franchise or civil rights disputes. “Arbitration can be a fair and efficient way to handle disputes, but only when it is entered into knowingly and voluntarily by both parties,” Feingold announced. The bill establishes that agreements will not be enforceable if they are entered before the actual dispute arises. See photos and remarks

Sixty Texas Representatives Support a Home Lemon Law to Reform the TRCC, Homebuilder Agency
In an unprecedented, history-making event State Representative Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, introduced a Home Lemon Law Amendment sparking a spirited debate on the Texas House floor, in which legislators defended Texas homeowners who have been sold defective homes by shoddy builders. The amendment was tabled by a vote of 83 to 60.  However, 60 lawmakers, including 10 Republicans, had voted in support of a Home Lemon Law, the first ever to be considered or debated by any State Legislature in the nation.

Texas Lawmakers Debate HB1038 to Reform the TRCC, Home Builder Agency
After a scathing State Comptrollers’ Report on TRCC, years of criticism, scandals that included a $1,052 lunch, $573,000 public relations spending and more – lawmakers recognize the need to reform the agency and to regulate the homebuilding industry. A number of other bills have been filed to strengthen TRCC’s enforcement powers over builders, and to make it more consumer friendly through a process that is voluntary, free, and effectively enforced.

Press Release - State Affairs Committee to hold Hearing on the Texas Home Lemon Law HB 2721 and 11 other bills which would hold New Homebuilders accountable
After years of failed attempts to rein in the growing stream of complaints regarding shoddy homebuilding, lawmakers have responded with 12 bills to overhaul the greatly criticized Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC), to abolish it, or pass a Home Lemon Law to better regulate the industry.

Press Release - Bills Would Protect Homeowners from Shoddy Construction
AUSTIN – Representatives Jessica Farrar and David Liebowitz have filed the first two bills intended to amend the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) in the upcoming 2007 Legislative Session.  Since its creation in 2003, the TRCC has repeatedly come under fire for its inability to successfully assist homeowners in resolving home construction defects, and for the lack of enforcement powers to make builders comply with the conclusions of the commission.

Closing arguments in the Hirata vs. Sitterle case
The Hirata case has gained attention because it is the first case to go to trial since the creation of the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC), an agency that has come under fire because of its failure to resolve disputes and its lack of authority to force builders to comply with its conclusions.

HomeOwners for Better Building MEDIA UPDATE October 5, 2006
The trial of active duty US Army Colonel Jay Hirata and wife retired Lieutenant Colonel Joy Hirata, a 31-year Army Veteran should be coming to an end.  After two years of trying to get their defective Sitterele home repaired the Hiratas will take the stand to tell their story today.

Trial begins in the face of builder’s attempts to deprive US Army Colonel of Constitutional Rights
After two years of amassing thousands of dollars in legal fees, the Hiratas obtained favorable rulings from the state agency TRCC, the Third Party Inspector (assigned by the TRCC), and the TRCC Appellate Panel regarding multiple construction defects.  Despite the confirmation of the defects in the home, Sitterle failed to make the repairs so the couple filed a lawsuit against Sitterle Homes regarding their 2-year-old home that has water intrusion issues in the basement.